West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has revealed that the club are ready to open discussions with on-loan star Andy Carroll as they look to complete a permanent deal for the striker.

Carroll has impressed in recent months and after overcoming a string on injuries has now managed to score seven Premier League goals in his last 15 appearances.

Andy Carroll
David Sullivan has revealed West Ham will open talks with Andy Carroll in the coming days. [Reuters]

Manager Sam Allardyce had played down suggestions that he would remain at the club as Liverpool are believed to want around £17million for the striker, but it seems as though West Ham are now ready to try and complete a deal.

Sullivan admitted that talks are about to begin but a report in the Mirror suggests that there will be competition for his signature as Tottenham and Newcastle remain interested.

"We would love to keep him beyond this season and we will soon be sitting down with Andy and Liverpool to make some progress on that front," Sullivan told the Daily Mirror.

"Andy has battled back from injury twice to put in a series of tireless shifts for the team. His game is about so much more than just scoring goals. He is so often the focal point of everything good we do going forward."

Carroll is unlikely to have a future at Liverpool as Brendan Rodgers does not feel as though the England striker can adapt to the club's style of football. While the club may be willing to part with Carroll they will certainly want to recoup a large portion of the £35million they paid for him back in January 2011.

It is certain that Liverpool would prefer there to be numerous interested parties and they may well hope that Tottenham and Newcastle have a genuine interest as it is likely to force up the fee.

However, West Ham will hope that they are in prime position to complete a deal after Carroll has spent the season on-loan at the east London club.

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